M10 Conducting Health Psychology Research
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This module aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of methods, theory and practice in different types of assessment techniques used in Health Psychology research in accordance with requirements (stage 1) of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Health Psychology accreditation criteria that are prerequisite for Chartered Health Status. These requirements include applications to the Measurement Issues (Core Curriculum 14) measurement of process, measurement of outcome, individual differences and health-related quality of life. To prepare students to conduct research in an ethically and technically rigorous and practical manner.
By the end of this modules students are expected
- to be aware of the principal tools, methods and ethical issues when conducting health psychology research.
- to understand the role of assessment of health status for decisions relating to health care.
- to be able to conduct research within health psychology.
- to understand the principles of a variety of assessment methods.
- to be familiar with available questionnaires and rating scales for assessing health status.
- to have an awareness of the requirements of different models.
- to be able to communicate the results of assessments to different audiences.
Course Convenor
Dr Mark Cropley
Other Contributors
Dr Jonathan Johnston, Dr Christina Jones, Professor Jane
Contact Hours
20
Required Prerequisite Study
First Degree in Psychology with GBR
Completion Requirement
Completion of the module (and the acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 20 contact hours in the form of lectures and seminars. Students are also required to invest a minimum of 100 hours of study time in completion of the module.
Assessments
One essay (1000 words) (25% of the final mark) and one systematic review (3000 words) (75% of the final mark).
Suggested Reading
Bowling, A. (1997). Research Methods in Health and Health Services. Buckingham: Open University Press. (Weeks 1 - 9).
Marks, D.F. (2002) (Ed) The Health Psychology Reader. London: Sage.
Marks, D.F. et al (2005) Health Psychology, 2nd ed. London: Sage. (Weeks 1 - 9).
Ogden, J. (2007) Health Psychology: A Textbook. Open University Press (Weeks 1- 9).
Petticrew, M. & Roberts, H. (2006). Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. (Week 5).
Sarafino, E.P. (2006) Health Psychology. New York: John Wiley & Sons (Weeks, 1 - 9).